The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-01-08
WHEN SHALL I APPEAR BEFORE
G0D2


fore God2" Such is the solemn inquiry
of the Psalmist Psalms xiii, p. We
need not attach any meaning to these
words that takes them away from the
concerns of the present life-that refers
them solely to special judgment day
when the soul comes in person before its
Maker. On the contrary, we may con-
slider the words as relating to the time
when the truth of the living God comes
home in this life to the soul; and in that
sense appears before him. 1t is as
if the Psalmist had said, When shall
this truth of the living God become
evident to mep When shalliI come so
near to God as to have vivid and act
ual acquaintance with him? When
shall appear before him in this close
and intimate communion, so that he
will no longer be a stranger to my heart,
but part of my life, and reality in
my experience? The time when all
men, in the final sense. are to I" appear
before God" is already determined,
and we are not, any of us, far removed
from it. 1t is only hands breadth
from us. 1t is after the event of death;
but we do not understand the Psalmist
as asking the question, in effect, as to
when he should die.
1t is III the other and secondary, yet
still important, sense that we under
stand the query. AS such it has an i'm
mediate and personal reference to each
of ourselves. For it is one of the most
momentous questions that can be ad-
dressed to us, or that we can ask our
selves, when the change will come in
relation to our spiritual nature and our
method of treating its confessed wants
and applications; when the great truth
of an everything and present God will
be received; when we shall arouse from
sluggish Indifference and careless and
wayward habits into the life that is
governed by principle, and in which all
and natural exercise; when we shall
open the windows of our soul and
allow the blessed light of heaven to
stream across our earthly pathway. In
other words, when we shall allow God
to appear in his own rules of virtue
and obedience in our life, and thus be
governed by him every day and hour of
our mortal existence.
This is the problem presented in ev-
cry life, and it is one of the things that
we must face some time or another.
There is an inevitable future before us
all, and that future is not to be over
cast forever by the waywardness or in
difference of man. There is an Eternal
Must that will ultimately make for
righteousness in every soul. The spir-
itual nature with which God has digni-
fed us, which aspires constantly for
him, and seeks rest and finds none away
from him, demands that its call be
heard; its behests obeyed. 1t is not to
be continually defeated in its aim;
borne down by the inferior elements
that surround it, and ignored in our de-
votion to bodily impulses and worldly
things. 1t is not forever to experience
hunger and thirst, and to be neglected
and starved, and never find develop
ment and help. God made us for holt
ness and happiness; and in his own in
finite time and way, he will see that we
realize the end of our being and glorify
and enjoy Him forever.
Therefore, there is divine necessity
surrounding our life which will make
the ultimate end secure. But while we
thus believe, we also recognize the fact
that this necessity is operative Nth us
and IN us. 1t is we who are to appear
before Him, and it is through the ave-
nues Of our own will and choice that
we are to travel heavenward. God,
neither here nor elsewhere will operate
on us by any mechanical agency, and
will force no soul to himself. Our duty
is to put ourselves in sympathetic rela-
tions with the divine, and to recognize
the need that is written in our nature
for spiritual communion, and to live,
not as the grovelling things of earth,
but as heirs of immortality and joint
heirs with Christ in the inheritance of
the heavens.
The sooner that we do this, the sooner
we will realize the promise that accom-
panies it. The longer we delay, the
harder it will be for us to accomplish the
result and to find peace. But the inev-
liable necessity will attend us always;
and sooner or later, in every experience,
all must in this sense " appear before
God"
Let the work begin in our hearts now.
1t is great thing to live daily in the
presence of God, to feel the warm beat
ings of his fatherly heart of compass
sionate care around us, and to realize
that no matter what betides, he will do
only for the best.
No wonder that the heart and soul of
man in all ages has thirsted for this
truth of God, even the living God: no